RECRUITING

Physical Activity and Percussive Massage Therapy for Reducing Pain in Older Women

Description

Over 60% of women aged 65 and older suffer from pain, yet this group is underrepresented in research. Physical activity and percussive massage therapy may help manage pain, but both require consistent engagement, making long-term participation challenging for most people. Self-monitoring could improve adherence to these pain management efforts, but the optimal strategies for self-monitoring remain unknown. This is a a 2x2 factorial randomized controlled trial in older women (N = 108) to determine which behavior(s) should be self-monitored to (1) promote engagement in physical activity and percussive massage therapy and (2) reduce pain. This study design will allow examination on effects of self-monitoring across different behaviors to identify the most effective strategies for improving pain management adherence and reducing pain.

Conditions

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Over 60% of women aged 65 and older suffer from pain, yet this group is underrepresented in research. Physical activity and percussive massage therapy may help manage pain, but both require consistent engagement, making long-term participation challenging for most people. Self-monitoring could improve adherence to these pain management efforts, but the optimal strategies for self-monitoring remain unknown. This is a a 2x2 factorial randomized controlled trial in older women (N = 108) to determine which behavior(s) should be self-monitored to (1) promote engagement in physical activity and percussive massage therapy and (2) reduce pain. This study design will allow examination on effects of self-monitoring across different behaviors to identify the most effective strategies for improving pain management adherence and reducing pain.

Physical Activity and Percussive Massage Therapy for Reducing Pain in Older Women

Physical Activity and Percussive Massage Therapy for Reducing Pain in Older Women

Condition
Pain, Chronic
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Ann Arbor

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48109

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1. Older aged female (65 years of age or older)
  • 2. Self-report pain as a barrier to PA
  • 3. Self-report not engaging in regular aerobic physical activity
  • 4. Express an interest in increasing PA levels.
  • 5. Proficient in English
  • 6. Own an IOS or Android smartphone with regular internet access
  • 7. Check emails at least daily
  • 8. Capable of providing informed consent
  • 9. Willing to use a massage gun for 3 months
  • 10. Live in continental US
  • 1. Planned surgery that limits mobility in the next 2 months.
  • 2. Concurrently participating in other pain management or physical activity programs
  • 3. Cancer-related pain
  • 4. Neurological disorder that affects cognition
  • 5. Mobility impairments that prevent unassisted walking.
  • 6. Receiving active medical treatment that would impair protocol compliance

Ages Eligible for Study

65 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Michigan,

Shiyu Li, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Michigan

Study Record Dates

2025-12